Preventing and dealing with mould
What exactly is mould?
When we refer to mould, we mean mould caused by condensation. After it starts off as tiny water droplets, condensation turns to dark-coloured spores (commonly called “mould”). These droplets are created when excess moisture in the air comes into contact with a cold surface, e.g. windows, walls (especially exterior walls) and inside furniture. Condensation is commonly caused by low internal room temperatures and a lack of adequate ventilation. The problem can be made worse when heating is not being used to warm the property, or when there are high moisture levels in the air, for example during showering or if you dry damp clothes on radiators.
Mould is not to be confused with damp. Damp is something completely different as it's caused by a structural issue with the property, e.g. a leak coming in from the roof due to a broken tile or a part of the external rendering is missing and letting rainwater in. You’ll see a visible tidemark or wet patch on the wall/ceiling, which looks very different to mould. Damp is wholly a landlord's responsibility, whereas condensation is not caused by a structural issue - it's caused by the occupants' living conditions and needs to be managed carefully.
Have a read of our free guide and take note of the steps below that can help you prevent mould growth in your student home.
Creation: Drying clothes indoors
Prevention: Dry them outside whenever and wherever possible, either via a washing line or a clothes horse. If there is absolutely no alternative to drying clothes indoors, place them placed on heated radiators with the windows open, so as to some of the moisture to escape.
Creation: Not using lids on pans when cooking.
Prevention: A lid means the moisture that would otherwise be released into the air from boiling liquids is contained to the pans itself, reducing condensation.
Creation: Lack of mechanical extraction in bathrooms and kitchens.
Prevention: Most bathrooms and kitchens are fitted with extractor fans (or similar) that take moisture away. If these have been turned off at the power switch (perhaps through fear of increased electricity bills), tenants are fighting condensation with one arm tied behind their back. They use a very small of amount of electricity, so should be used. They typically only turn on when the bathroom light is on, and when manually turned on if in a kitchen.
Creation: Not opening windows when showering and cooking.
Prevention: Extractor fans are useful, but they’re not a full cure. There’s no substitute for natural ventilation, so opening a window when showering or cooking should always be done.
Creation: Storing damp clothes or shoes in drawers and wardrobes.
Prevention: If you store your damp shoes or coat in the wardrobe, as they dry they’ll release moisture, which needs to go somewhere. If it can’t, it’ll sit inside the wardrobe and turn to mould.
Creation: Not opening vents in windows.
Prevention: Some tenants don’t realise that their windows have a thin vent that can be opened and closed. Again, it’s not a cure - and it will create a slight draught - but opening these vents will help.
Creation: Failing to wipe down damp or wet surfaces.
Prevention: Even with extractor fans on, windows ajar, lids on pans and vents open, some condensation will still form. It can be very visible on windows, but less visible on walls. Splashed water from showering or washing hands in the sink will sit on seals unless dried. A heated home will help dry these, but getting a cloth and ‘manually’ drying the surface is highly advisable. If it isn’t dried, it will inevitably turn to mould. We’ve all seen black seals around sinks and showers.
Creation: Overfilling drawers and wardrobes.
Prevention: Not only might an overfilled drawer and wardrobe cause it to burst at the seams, but it also restricts the flow of warm air around the furniture, presenting ideal conditions for mould to form.
Creation: Placing furniture too tight to a wall.
Prevention: Walls need to breathe too. When something is pushed tight up against a wall, no warm air can flow between the two, meaning the wall and the item of furniture both stay cold. This is especially true for external walls because they’re colder, so try to put furniture on internal walls where possible. We’ve seen backs of wardrobes, chests of drawers and beds - and the wall they’ve been up against - all turn mouldy over the years. Always leave a gap of a few centimetres to let the air flow between.
Creation: Not using the tumble dryer provided
Prevention: Running a tumble dryer may not cost as much as people think. Additionally, if a landlord has provided a tumble dryer, it’s a reasonable expectation that the tenants should use it.